Kobe Bryant ‘would love to play’ with Carmelo Anthony

Kobe Bryant answers questions ab out his basketball camp, the state of the Lakers and the free agency action during a press conference before the Kobe Basketball Academy at UCSB, Wednesday, July 9, 2014. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles Daily News)

Hence, why Bryant provided an interesting ice breaker when he greeted the children at his eighth basketball camp here at UC Santa Barbara.

“If you have questions about free agency,” Bryant said, “I’ll give you the real answer, and not the media answer.”

Interesting take considering Bryant held court before reporters for 15 minutes moments earlier, gushing about possibly playing with Carmelo Anthony, expressing confidence in Lakers executives Jim and Jeanie Buss and sounding mindful about a possibly prolonged rebuilding process.

Yet, at this point, no one has definitive answers. Quickly after the New York Daily News reported Anthony plans to re-sign with the New York Knicks, a source familiar with his thought process told this newspaper that “there is no decision yet.” The source then added it is “still up in the air.” Both the Lakers and the Knicks both indicated Anthony has not informed them where he will play next season.

Bryant said he “would love to play” with Anthony, arguing their friendship and chemistry with two U.S. Olympic teams could enable the two volume-scoring players to adjust their games. Anthony would make $129.1 million in a five-year deal with New York, as opposed to a four-year deal worth $95.9 million with the Lakers. Yet, that value somewhat diminishes when accounting the likelihood the 30-year-old Anthony would receive another max contract.

The Lakers hosted a 2 1/2-hour meeting last Thursday at their practice facility in El Segundo with Anthony, who was pitched on both the team’s championship history and marketing opportunities. Bryant also reported having extensive conversations with Anthony.

“Some players would be leaving some financial stability on the table,” Bryant said. “But that being said, you can only speak to the strengths that you have as an organization. The strengths we have is the flexibility, the market and a proven track record.”

Bryant also believes Anthony’s arrival would improve the Lakers’ chances on keeping Pau Gasol, who has also weighed options with Oklahoma City, Miami, San Antonio, Chicago, New York and Golden State.

“It’ll help his decision a lot more,” Bryant said. “It’s tough for Pau. Pau is extremely loyal and it’s a very tough position to be in to be a free agent never being in this position before. My biggest message to him was, ‘To make sure you enjoy the process. Don’t stress yourself out. The ball is in your court and your decision to make.’”

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Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and senior vice president of business operations Tim Harris flew to Cleveland to see LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, on Friday. But James reportedly met with Heat president Pat Riley at his summer camp in Las Vegas, and could stay with Miami. There is a sense Anthony has delayed his decision until James officially decides his future.

Bryant reported those players sounded “very receptive” to his pitches. But if those do not work, the Lakers’ rebuilding approach would likely change.

The Lakers would unlikely keep Gasol, who has said he wants to play for a championship contender. The Lakers would seem more likely to keep Steve Nash, whose $9.7 million contract expires after this season. The Lakers would zero in on second-tier free agents, including Sacramento’s Isiah Thomas and Washington’s Trevor Ariza. But the Lakers would likely offer no more than one- or two-year deals, mindful about the importance in maintaining their purchasing power for Kevin Love in 2015 and Kevin Durant in 2016.

“Plan B is a solid plan,” Bryant said. “You just have to play the waiting game a little bit and see how things shake things out.”